Google Voice Contacts (as we know it) GONE. Please UNDO this!

As of this morning (2/21/13) GOOGLE VOICE CONTACTS HAS DISAPPEARED (again), to be replaced by the poorly structured Gmail version of contacts.

ATTN: GOOGLE... PLEASE change this back. I'm not a casual user or a teenager looking for a free phone toy. I'm a business owner that relies on your tools to do manage communications and data. This is a real enough problem that it will force me and my company to find and move to another platform. This means I will be forced to discontinue Google Apps as the primary place where we spend all day and store all of our stuff. This is frustrating and sad for me, and yes, I'm irritated too, but I understand that it's your ballgame and you can choose the rules. HOWEVER, in doing so, I hope you understand the enormity of this decision (at least as it's experienced from this end as a regular user and evangelist of your services). A few years ago, we removed all Microsoft products and services (and my company is a Microsoft Partner) from our daily experience and have taken several dozen small businesses and hundreds of individuals with me to the all-Google cloud-based experience (and continue to do so on a daily basis). I don't want to leave, but if we do, all the small businesses I've brought to Google Apps (dozens) will be encouraged to embrace whatever I discover as a replacement, since our company supports their I.T. and business communications activities.

What follows is a post I made a couple weeks ago to perhaps inform developers and decision-makers how it feels out here in the "we-have-no-control-over-anything" cheap seats, BEFORE this disappeared. Readers, if you agree with me, please "like" this post and make a comment saying so - I'd be hard pressed to believe that my experience and preference is isolated and unusual.

When this last reared its ugly head, it was just switched with no warning, then (thankfully) undone. I appreciate a little warning here, but the direction Google is going with this makes it very clear that the developers do NOT USE Google Voice on a regular basis like I do. I have 3500+ active contacts in my contacts database and spend most of the day communicating with my customers and vendors using GV from a PC. The current Google Voice contacts structure is very intuitive, easy to use and navigate through. It's an excellent address book, providing quick access to the right information and communication with a quick search, a glance, and a quick click.

* I can quickly see where a contact is located (map link) and text/call/email them with a click on the correct number chosen from an easy to view list of ALL their numbers and information in one place - without having to navigate to another page, or click back and forth.

* I can review or add to customer/vendor notes with a click and all that information is propagated to my cell phones and my Nexus 7 without having to do anything.

* I can easily duplicate information to a different contact that shares information because they are in the same company (or family).

* I can narrow or group what I'm viewing based on a search using a number, word, phrase, or name, EVEN if that info is in the "notes".

* I can easily switch from History (essentially a call log) to unanswered voice-mails (and make notes showing the call was returned and by whom), to contacts and back again. Even with some of the functionality it had before removed (you can only select one contact at a time with the check boxes now), it's still a very useful and functional interface.

What makes it work so well as a tool is the layout.

There are 4 panes/columns (or whatever you want to call them) from left to right...

PLEASE DO NOT GO THROUGH WITH THIS CHANGE. I've really tried to work from the Gmail contacts interface (you're calling it "new contacts"). It is not usable for the way I work. It is kludgy, cumbersome, inefficient, and feels like a huge step backwards. Why you've decided to go to the Gmail contacts structure, rather than to apply and develop GV contacts structure to gmail, is beyond my understanding. It certainly makes no sense from a usability standpoint. I'm guessing that this is all being driven by Google+ integration, but seriously... stop it.

Based on my description of the GV contacts layout (above), the Gmail contacts layout is missing both the first pane/column (which is currently just a Google Voice interface), and the rightmost two panes have been combined. Why not have the rightmost 3 panes/columns appear as they do in GV as the contacts interface in Gmail instead of forcing the clunky version through the other way? Even when I'm emailing, I still choose to do it from my GV contacts, because the email version of contacts is so bad.

* I can NOT see or scroll though contacts or see contact info with a single click. Spacing between contacts is a problem. Spacing within a contact is a problem. Layout within a contact detail page is a problem - not easily reviewed, used or even edited.

* I can NOT easily click to call, text, or email a contact. Choosing to call, text, or email a contact from the detail page is very difficult. You can not see for sure whether you're choosing the right phone number or email address because the call, text, and email links are too far away from the number or email address. Seriously, don't you people USE the crap you're making?

* I can NOT browse from contact to contact without loading a new page, and then going back to the list - big time and bandwidth waste. It's so much easier and more efficient to navigate between contacts in the current GV contact structure.

* I can NOT choose what data is displayed. The columns shown by default are not useful and they can not be changed, so you HAVE to go IN to a contact to see what you need to see.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND: I don't care if this is free or a pay service (I'm sure it's going that way, since Google Apps already has), but please don't screw it up and make it unusable. What you have here is not duplicated anywhere else (I've looked). Google Voice and the current GV contacts structure is a tool that works. Don't break what works just because you can, or in order to shove G+ down our throats. As long as you don't break it first, I'm willing to pay for this level of functionality.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW GOOGLE DID NOT RECEIVE THE MESSAGE FROM ITS USERS THE LAST TIME THEY MADE THIS STUPID FORCED CHANGE TO GOOGLE CONTACTS!!!!! The last time we made such a big stink about it, Google reversed their silly policy, hopefully our outcry will be heard again...

GOOGLE CONTACTS SUCKS!!! How in the world are we suppose to manage our communications (texts, voice mails, phone calls) when we DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION WITH GOOGLE CONTACTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I PAY FOR GOOGLE APPS, AND I TOO WILL LEAVE AND TELL ALL OF THOSE I "EVANGELIZED" TO, TO LEAVE WITH ME!!!!

I do not understand how Google thinks it can shove this WORTHLESS product down our throats! I will LEAVE Google and find another product(s).

I agree 100% I am in the same boat I AM SCREWED right now in a legal case because of the lost of my Groups. This is a nightmare, I don't keep my numbers anywhere except Google I use Google Voice exclusively. I feel stupid for trusting Google but I have been on Google since it launched and on Google Voice since it launched.

PCdoc thank you but you wrote "for the time being" how long is that? And what do we do after it is gone for good? I have hundreds of numbers all in groups an I don't access them by name I use Notes and Groups. Please guide us now that my hands are on my Groups again what can I do to save this information? I'm desperate this will hurt my business tremendously.

Google PLEASE return our Contacts. This is so unfair. We rely on you and where I live there are no cell phones nor will there ever be any!! I know Google likely only cares about city folk but us rural mountain folk suffer from lack of access to services. Google Voice is my only phone service!

Google is like the WORLD'S WORST drug dealer... The idea should be to get the public hooked on your product and feed their addiction. INSTEAD, google gets us hooked and then tries to give us something that SUCKS!!!

LOL. Google IS the world's worst drug dealer. I'm hooked, stung out, and they are taking my drug away. And it is not the first time. I need Google Rehab, though if they create it halfway through recovery they will change your room, building, food, doctor and lose all your files...

They even call it "The New Contact Experience" on the home page for Google Voice, like Scientology has taken over Google HQ. I don't want a "New Contact Experience." I wan't my fing contacts organized the way they were in a usable fashion.

I think Google's motto is "Do no harm"... Well Google, YOU HAVE HARMED MY BUSINESS WITH THIS CRAPPY PRODUCT YOU CALL GOOGLE CONTACTS!!!! I WANT GOOGLE VOICE AND ONLY GOOGLE VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the good list of what is wrong with the new contacts interface. Saved me the trouble of making a list. Another reason it is harder to use is that you do not see the call or text icons until you hover over the number you want to call. Then you have to move your mouse to the right to click the icon. I hope this trend toward forcing the user to move the mouse around to find a hidden icon does not continue. If I want to play a game with hidden surprises, I can find plenty. I use GV to to get things done, so please Google, don't hide the important features and make me "discover' where they are every time I want to make a call.

To Google: Many of us are business users. When Google Voice becomes a paid service, we're the ones who will be willing to pay for it, just as we now pay for Google Apps. So listen to us!

I have never used Gmail contacts because it's terrible. Going from the wonderfully functional Google Voice contacts to the Gmail contacts feels like I've gone back in time to the 1990s.

As for Google+, I have no use for it. If something doesn't enhance my business or entertain me, I don't waste time with it. Google+ does neither. I also despise Facebook, and reluctantly use it only so I can see what my college kid is doing.

PCdoc, if Google insists on this nonsense, please post what you find as an alternative, because I'll be needing one too.

Some of all are ALREADY paying (Business Apps) for Google to screw us over. IF GOOGLE DOESN'T GIVE ME THE OPTION TO USE ONLY GOOGLE VOICE, I WILL BE FORCED TO LEAVE AND MY CLIENTS WILL LEAVE WITH ME!!!

When I called I was able to get a real live person at some of them. I vote we call them and patiently explain our problems with this forced conversion to whoever we get a hold of. It helps to explain to them that you aren't expecting them to fix it, you just need someone to listen to you. If all of us talk with enough people it will have to help get them to realize this is a real problem.

I agree with this - really DO NOT like the new Google contacts format. Making a phone calll requires 2-3 more clicks than previously, which is quite annoying, as I make all of my calls thru Google Voice. I say roll it back to the previous format. I don't particularly care about what U are integrating - just go back to the old format!!

Yes, please put the contacts back to the way it was, - really! not a single person was happy with this change the last time you did this, its bad enough you're taking igoogle away, i'll use the temp link provided, https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/#contacts and if this stays, I'll adjust accordingly, but if you take that old way of viewing contacts away completely, then yes it will be time to jump ship and move completely away from GOOGLE, I don't understand how Google already had a bunch of feedback about this and yet moved foward anyway.

I'm glad you mentioned iGoogle, I'm bummed about that too. It is my go to page everyday for weather, news, etc. Still, it does not hurt my business the way this new unusable interface for Google Voice will. PCdoc really captured all the problems, issues, and losses associated with the change. Haven't they ever heard "If it ain't broke don't fix it?" I've been with them since day one but I'm now hoping something new comes along. Hell, if they simply offered not to change the interface randomly I'd sign up! How low my expectations have sunk after all these years with Google...

Amen! Cudn't say it better myself. Thanks for doing so! Yes, Google, PLEASE dump the curtrent POS U've foisted upon us,. & restore a RELIABLE & WORKING version of Google Contacts for Google Voice. FYI: I DO NOT use Goggle's, or anyone else's so called 'social media', & have absolutely no interest in doing so. So please quit pushing that cr*p on us too. Thanks! P. S. PC Doc, if you indentify a vialbe alternative, please post information on what you find, if things don't change (as in back to the way they were, or at least to a working status, I'm intetested too. The current version of Google contacts just blows!

Yes, I saw the workout quit a little while ago. *sigh* My big problem is I can't find a way to make a call! I use my home landline, so Google calls me and the person I'm calling simultaneously I cannot find a way to make a call without using Google talk. I'm been scrolling through my History where there is a tiny call link below the person I called. Tedious.

Anyone have a workaround for this? Or know how to place calls in the new interface?

The new contacts looks like a sloppy messy pile. The old interface was neat, tight and organized. I'm so disappointed.

PCdoc: Thanks I just clicked your link and it does not work for me. It is GV but everything to the right is gone... there is only Google Contacts on left, in a messy list with no way to make calls from selecting the contact.

Not working here 5:44pm Pacific Time. Damn Google. Becoming more and more like Microsoft. Never listening to people, constantly ignoring requests, not updating files or work around. Many of us use a custom greeting for incoming caller. TRY doing that now! No luck? Too bad, your stuck with it ... be it friend, work, or family you can't change the greeting that you've put on there. Ask 20 users who use Google Voice and I imagine 1 might say he likes the changes they made. Trying so hard to be like Facebook and all these other annoying social networking sites. Just making a mess of everything!

Also, I used to be able to click the name in my Inbox and have it take me to a page where I could change settings for that individual and then go to GVContact to make additional changes. Now I have to go to contacts and search for the person - REALLY annoying.that contact in GVContacts. Now it just takes SO much longer.

I was with GrandCehtral and LOVED the service. Used to rave about GV, but this is it for me. Its the only number I use, but I guess I'll have to give it up. THe hassle and headache aren't worth it anymore.

SurryBix: To use Click2Call to make a call, open a contact and then move your mouse over the phone number, and slide to the right. As you "hover" the call and text icons will appear.

Will also mention that the call and text icons may not display on Chrome unless you have the latest updated version. To update, point your Chrome browser to chrome://help/ and it should start updating automatically.

Hi Mudwoman! Thanks so much! but it does not work. I am using the latest version of Chrome. When I hover the only option I get is "Call with Goolge Talk" which would mean talking through my computer instead of walking around on my hand-free headset. I'll try it on some other browsers next.

Thanks!! I've been doing that and it helps some. But some contacts I don't know the names... business calls. I look them up by the Group and then read the notes I put in the contact about who they are. Any advice for that? Right now I'm doing a copy and paste into the CALL box.

I have never and I mean never written on a Google Groups forum. I wasn't even going to this time either, but I couldn't stop myself it was just too frustrating. Google , please restore the old Google Voice contacts page and give me the option of being able to edit my contacts. I need to be able to send some people straight to voicemail sometimes and then take them off that setting easily. I had bookmarked the old link for the old contacts page and it worked for awhile, but now even that's been taken away. Please don't destroy a good product like Google Voice.

I have never and I mean never written on a Google Forum and all I have to say is just please restore the old Google Voice contacts page, so I can easily edit settings and send people straight to voice mail and off again. Google Voice was already a good product, please don't destroy it. I've been a long time Google Voice user so I want to give Google an opportunity to remedy this. At first I was just using the old bookmarked link like everyone else, but now that even that is gone I had no choice, but to request its restoration on this forum. I'm sure many many more people feel the same way, but not all users are savvy enough to realize that there are forums for them to make a complaint. I sincerely hope the next time I leave a message on Google Forum's its to praise one of your products and not to make a complaint because I've never had to.

Here is the number for GoogleVoice - you can only leave a message - but perhaps this will help. My suggestion to them - if they are hellbent on making this change - is to leave the work-around in place. You could click on the contact name from the inbox or any other folder and go to the OLD GV Contacts. If you just clicked on Contacts you go to the new GV Contacts.

Honestly I doubt very much that they will back down and restore the old interface even with all the petitions. I think adding the lost features into the new interface is the most we can hope for.

I understand that they did this to simplify things and not have two separate Contacts interfaces. It's not clear whether or not their intention was to actually remove the features. I have not heard anyone report that the individual greetings that they set up before the change have stopped working. Maybe this was just a blunder. Maybe they are working on adding this control to the new interface and we just won't find out about it until it appears. Well, I can always hope....

There aren't many Google apps which I can say SUCK. The new Google Contacts sucks a big wambizee - it's as close to being useless app as they can get. So, what is their rationale for making Google Contacts useless app from what it used to be - one of the best apps? Too many techys at Google are either blind or deaf.

this is not working for me. how do I access / edit custom greetings for google voice contacts? when I type the contact name into the search bar and click EDIT CONTACT in the popup, N O T H I N G H A P P E N S

Looks like Google is monitoring the Facebook Google Voice page. Can we start posting messages there AND here? I think it will help.

Also, trying to get an idea of what dif folks are doing to try to get this resolved. Would you mind posting actions that you take here?

I called the 212 number and left a message for Urs. I've been postign here and will post on FB. Plan to make more phone calls tomorrow.

Let's see if we can keep the pressure up.

I also think we should reach out to the NYTimes' David Pogue. he RAVED about GrandCentral years ago and I wonder if he'd be interested in doing an article about how Google has slowly destroyed that fantastic product with its 'improvements.'

This is crazy. We have multiple, I repeat multiple PAID google apps domains with multiple users within each domain and we HAVE to have the edit google voice contact settings. We just paid last week to port a phone over to google fore this very reason. This is unacceptable. We have businesses to run. Google, bring back that interface today. PLEASE!! This is a major major issue for our firms.

well this is really going to annoy you, they have an "older version" link at very bottom of the contacts page, here's the link - https://www.google.com/contacts_v1 -- and it syncs because I updated a contact and it updated this "older version"and it looks very similar to the google voice we know and love, but with none of the newer functionality: no texting etc.

so obviously it's POSSIBLE to have the older version remain on the system, they just skipped over leaving the last "older" version - I only use google voice to text my tenants from the computer, I don't even use my mobile phone to call them, most are students and they don't even answer the phone, or have voice mail setup --please please make this "older version" be the last version you just took away. why why why can't this be done, I called the google contact voice mail phone number, and left a message --- do no evil indeed.

It's the older version of Contacts (before it merged into GMail), but it's not the older version of Google Voice Contacts.It doesn't have the link below the phone numbers "Edit Google Voice setting" so you can't do i.e. record personal voicemail greeting.

But I do get your point that it's possible to keep old versions around.

Meaning specifically - the more functional voice contacts page...AT LEAST let the old links remain active? This is a very GOOD compromise. https://www.google.com/voice#contacts for those that prefer the legacy interface and let the Google users decide which format they want? Don't be evil google, remember? Its a downright injustice to reduce functionality and force users to mouse over tiny icons for dial and text services. Also, I import a lot of numbers from cardmunch via gmail and the new format shows me every import update on the left pane and this is TOTALLY un-useful and UNWANTED noise on the screen. I'm a rational person and would invite anyone from google whom would want to talk to a DAILY user of the product to call and discuss?

If you are not going to change google voice contacts back - AT LEAST let the old links remain active?

This is a dumb question but .... how the hell do you send a text to someone with that new google contacts? Before on google voice i just clicked their and then send SMS, I don't see that option anywhere now. On the google voice page under google contacts it states to hover over their phone number and you'll get options, but mine doesn't do anything at all.

We've been through this crap before. This old way was 10000x easier. How in the world do they think that the desktop experience is better with this? A new tab opens, you click the name, new page opens, then you have to hover over the name?

I've been using google voice for quite some time now. I have found a way to edit your google voice contact settings per each contact. Apparently google voice is pushing everyone to use google groups. I was using them a little before they pulled the plug last week on how to customize voice mail messages per each individual contact. So I pulled a long last weekend and I took my over 1,300 contacts and grouped them into different google groups. Unknown to me, I could of saved a lot of time because you can move all contacts into a particular google group name simply by checking all applicable names on that one page into the google group name you want. Just make sure to uncheck the "my contacts" when moving them into a google group name. I'm not sure if this will work on multiple contact pages or not at one time. If it does, it won't take long to do. So if you want to have a particular contact to have a customize voice mail, just create a google group for that one contact and customize your greeting like in the past. It seems to work fine this way.

You can still text a contact. Simply type in the contact name under google contacts. Go to their phone number (Where the American Flag is if you are in the U.S.) and hover over the American Flag and it will "to your right" give you the option to either text or call that particular contact.

P L E A S E bring back the old Google Voice Contacts. Your recent switch to Google Contacts has created a VERY cumbersome process to for Google Voice. It is difficult or impossible to maintain and use the types of information we need to be active users of Google Voice. Google voice is an EXCELLENT product in every way EXCEPT the way contacts are currently being handled. The guys who created the change say "it's a breeze" - but it has become a VERY difficult slog for Google Voice users.

Thanks DivaGal and thank you Google Voice! I am going to share one more tip since you were so kind. Although it's not ideal, I do have a work around for you to try for when you need to edit the GV settings on a contact record that does not appear in your logs/inbox.

Since Google Voice is not currently able to change the new Google Contacts interface it is the best we can do for now...

1. Go to Google Contacts and select the record you want to edit. Copy the record number in the url (see red box on image below).

Seriously? No it does NOT rock. They are cobbling back meager pieces of functionality in slow motion without even responding or giving users any kind of reasoning or explanation.and you're acting like all is well and ready to start clapping them on the back? They took functionality offline without replacing it or testing it, leaving broken and empty links everywhere, breaking every rule of development. They treat the users of their products with disdain. They hide behind the "it's free, so there's no accountability" wall and don't offer so much as an explanation. All is NOT well, this tiny bit of half-assed functionality is NOT adequate, and Google Voice does NOT rock. Every day of my work life has become a living hell of lost functionality and I have yet to find a replacement. Google Voice USED TO rock. It does NOT rock now.

Seriously! The new 'Google Contacts' team did give us a lemon with the interface by not including the GV specific features. The Google Voice team just gave us some sugar to help until things are sorted out. It's your choice if you want to make lemonade or be bitter about what you don't have. I choose to celebrate and make the best of the situation. I'm sorry you are miserable about the changes but understand it's your choice to be how you want.

Hillsborough, I'm with you .... Google has me well trained. Not sure if you saw my posts about Google Babble, but it looks like Google is trying to merge all their talk/chat platforms. While I hope (GOOGLE ARE YOU LISTENING), they plan better and keep the wonderful things about GV, I gotta admit, GV with chat/messaging added could be pretty effing cool.

That said, the small bit of sugar, they've given to assuage their mistake will do for now, I'm REALLY hoping they are working on a bigger fix.

Finally, while I ~get~ the whole Google mystique, we don't talk to you thing, I wish they'd COMMUNICATE before they make these changes and at least do a limited response after.

It's the feeling of raging into a void that made us all so nuts.

Again, Hillsborough, thank you for bird-dogging this and sharing what you found out across multiple threads..

I will continue to be "bitter" as long as Google insist on making
changes that take away useful features without giving its users any way
to communicate with them. The only option that we have is to vent our
frustrations here and we dont even know if they read, much less consider
our comments. Its like being put on 'hold' and being told "due to high
call volume or how much your call means to them"...... yeah, right......
we arent idiots and we know that you dont really care what we think
!!!! If you did care you would allow us some platform to contact you,
but we know then you would have to hire a 'google' operators just to
handle all the complaints. Its easier for Google just to make whatever
changes THEY want without considering the effects it has and then Hide
so they can think they have improved it.

@BlueSkies7 @chasoscar -- While I certainly understand your frustrations (I have 'em too - I much preferred the old GV Contacts), the most recent update for having individual contact access has made things much better and I now have all of the old functionality available, though in a bit more clumsy manner.

It looks like you are in "google contacts" rather than google.com/voice?? Is that right? Go to google.com/voice, select in box, then find a contact name and click on the name. YOu should be able to edit individuals now. Not through the "Contacts" link though.

I completely agree with everything that PCdoc said in that the Google Contacts is far inferior to the GV Contacts interface. I now have to click in-and-out of pages to get to the same information with one-click in the GV Contact interface. I am currently searching for a better solution so I can switch over. Sad to say that I felt like a walking advertisement for Google but now, not so sure.

I did an informal survey and came to the conclusion that 'business minded' people prefer the GV Contacts interface and 'teens and social users' seem to prefer the Google Contacts interface. Unfortunately I think Google is being run by the latter.

I agree a million times over. A moment before reading this comment I had sent a note to Google. It is almost shocking to come here & find that someone has posted a comment that mirrors almost every thought on the subject which I had offered.I am getting so annoyed at this constant tinkering & the lack of information provided in regard to these changes. If the changes had been useful, that information would probably not be necessary, but the changes take away the ease & simplicity that Google Voice previously offered.I never had a problem understanding my settings before. I did not have a problem controlling contacts, although I would have liked more control to contacts (including spam) to be available through my Google apps.Recently I have found that I may have to load & reload my contacts page several times to simply see my contact information. I also do not like having, without choice, my contact information being merged from my Google mail & Google voice account. This change was made without my consent or without asking my opinion regarding the change. Suddenly, there it was. It is a big change to make without asking for my feedback.This frustration of course mirrors how much I do like the original concept of Google Voice. It has offered long wished for options in phone services which generic phone carriers preferred not to provide. It is sad that average phone carriers do not seem interested enough to offer common-sense solutions that consumers want after all of these years of providing basic phone service. It would be disappointing to see Google heading in a similar direction of doing what they want on their own terms as it brings to mind the attitudes shown by their out-of-touch predecessors.

You don't get the full Old Version, Panfilo. You get the old version of contacts, but not the left hand 'call any number' box feature. You just get the contacts. That was the part I liked, being able to go from one to the other--besides the view given of contacts in the old version.

4/12/13: It's apparent by now that Google doesn't care about our concerns. Not a single official response at all. Much like the arrogant tools in our Federal Government, they think they know what's best for us and that we're just too stupid to understand. They change something or create something that has no value to anyone but themselves, tell us how wonderful it is, and force it upon us. I'm pretty sure that this change is all about connecting it to Google+. Google has apparently decided to make Google+ the center of the universe and connect everything they do to that. They've ruined Google Local, Google Maps, Google Voice and who knows what else in order to do just that.

PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone that has the ability, please seek alternative phone/contact/communications management options and report your findings/experiences back here. I will attempt to do the same. I NEED the functionality that GV used to provide (and does NOT now). I don't care who provides it as long as it works and the cost is not prohibitive.

Those of you pointing out the link to the "old version" at the bottom please stop. It is simply the old layout (which is easier to review contact info), but it has no functionality - it's the VERY old version and even that has had all functionality removed.

ATTN: Hillsborough... You have marked this thread as "Completed". It is NOT. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that thinks that marking your own crap as "best answer" and the thread as "completed" is not only wrong and uncalled for, but just plain arrogant. Please Change this.

Your responses have not been helpful, just sycophantic towards Google. I don't know you and I don't know if you work for Google or not but you act like a paid shill. If you don't have the ability to get any real answers or real action, knock off the cheerleader crap, butt out, and stop trying to control this thread. Please remove the "completed" status.

GV is more than just a contact manager.If it was only that, maybe I could seek an alternative.But since it is also my telephone, and provides many other value-added features on top of it, there really isn't an alternative.Does anyone know of something that does all that GV does?